The New Islamic Century

The major issue with Islam today is illiteracy and lack of knowledge of the din. People lack understanding of the Qur'an and Allah's message. Islam is still strong, growing stronger and vibrant.

There are more Believers in the world than ever in history. Y et there are many things that have gone wrong within Islam. Muslims are blinded by blinkers of self-deception and d elusion, and they cannot see the fitnah amongst their own selves. Believers in isolation and in unity need to look within themselves, in their community, and in the Ummah and take a stock, objectively, of their place with Allah and in this world. In this unity of purpose and the unity of action, Believers require self-cleansing, to enable them to o b serve themselves cl early, free o f d elusion and self-deception. Such unity of purpose and action requires a clean Nafs with taqwa of Allah and knowledge of Allah.

They need to understand each word of Allah's message and each Covenant they have made with Allah and to obey it diligently. They need to read and learn the Qur'an in their own language. Devotional reciting of the Quran should be in Arabic but for a clear understanding of Allah's word should read be in their own language. Similarly, in personal salaat and dua they may beseech Allah in vernacular and say communal prayers in Arabic. Over a short time, each person will have mastery of Allah's Word and understand their, din, rights, and obligations. Qur'an is the din, Covenant, sharia, and the law.
Twenty first century is the century of l earning, understanding and communication. Such knowledge requires understanding of Allah's Word, the Revelations. Such understanding requires Allah's Nur within the Believers' heart. When the Blessed Nabi died, the era of Prophesy ended with him. There w ere to be no more prophets or en masse Revelations by Allah. When the blessed Nabi died, he bequeathed each Believer the Qur'an and the knowledge of Allah.

With submission to Allah's will, each Believer has Allah in the niche of his heart. Allah speaks to the Believer through each aya and through each word of the Qur'an. The Nabi was a beacon of Allah's Nur on each Believer's Path to Allah. The Believer speaks to Allah through the Qur'an, salaat, and dua, and Allah responds in believer's heart and mind. This gives the Believer peace and tranquility. Submission Islam, gives Iman, and Iman promotes beautiful deeds, ihsan. Beautiful deeds bring the Believer closer to Allah. In closeness to Allah the Believer is aware of Allah's presence and he continues to perform wholesome deeds in the Taqwa of Allah. Taqwa of Allah shines the Nur of Allah on the Believer's Nafs, which blows away the smoke of desire and craving from the Nafs. And the Nafs shines in the likeness of a mirror with Allah's Nur. Fitnah is rooted in cravings and greed of the human. Desire and craving for the shiny goods of this world muddies the Nafs and the human cannot see Allah's presence within him. The human slips and he strays from the Path of Allah.

Human is then lost. And the Qur'an speaks of such persons thus:

These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a f ire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So, they could not see. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return to the path. Qur'an 2:15-18

W hen the people around the world see the wretched condition of Muslims today, they p o se the question, 'What is wrong with Islam?' And the Muslims themselves wonder why after all the sub mission; prayer and humility the Muslims continue to b e mired in the dust heap of humanity? Muslims continue to b e poor, ignorant, and disunited. T hey cannot extricate themselves from the fitnah and oppression in Palestine, Syria, Kashmir, India, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Those with the taqwa of Allah, the muttaqee